The Ministry of Commerce revealed that Myanmar has reopened the Myawaddy checkpoint opposite the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 in Mae Sot district, Tak province, on 28 May 2026. This follows Myanmar’s unilateral closure of the checkpoint since 18 August 2025.
Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, stated that Myanmar has resumed operations at the Myawaddy checkpoint, located opposite the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 in Mae Sot district, Tak province, as of 28 May 2026, after unilaterally closing it since 18 August 2025.
The reopening is a positive indicator for Thailand-Myanmar border trade because this route serves as a key gateway connecting transport to Myanmar’s main economic zones. This will reduce logistics costs and increase opportunities for Thai businesses to export goods in high demand in Myanmar’s market, such as consumer products, construction materials, electrical appliances, and vehicles.
Although transport restrictions have begun to ease, border trade growth still faces challenges from Myanmar’s import control measures, especially the Import License requirement linked to Export Earning Matching. This rule mandates that traders must have sufficient export earnings or partner with those who do to get import approval, causing lengthy, case-by-case processing.
Data from the Department of Foreign Trade shows that border trade value through the Mae Sot checkpoint from January to April 2026 declined compared to the same period last year, due to border conditions and control measures. However, the reopening of the Myawaddy checkpoint is expected to support trade recovery in the second half of the year, particularly for essential goods and manufacturing inputs.
Ms. Arada added that the Department of Foreign Trade plans to facilitate trade by raising these issues with Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce during the Thailand-Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting later this year, aiming to find ways to ease obstacles and increase flexibility in the Export Earning system for smoother operations.
At the same time, the government will closely monitor Myanmar’s foreign currency management policies and Thailand’s Ministry of Defense cross-border goods control measures, which have designated Mae Sot district as a controlled import-export zone to prevent and suppress scammer businesses. The focus will be on coordinating with related agencies to reduce obstacles for traders and promote sustainable growth of border trade.
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